YATE’S Ruth Medcroft will be looking to defend her world title when she flies out to Spain next week.

Medcroft will be at the World Transplant Games and is world champion in the three kilometre race walk for thirty to 39-year-olds in which she competes again in Malaga.

The athletics events take place in the main stadium in Malaga on Friday June 30 and Saturday July 1 and Medcroft is looking to add more medals and titles to her tally.

Indeed it will be Medcroft’s last appearance in the age category as she turns forty in October.

She is the second South Gloucestershire athlete to be at the Games and will be on the plane with former Castle School, Thornbury, student Emma Barnes who is competing in the badminton competition.

Medcroft said: “I am really excited. It was kind of scary winning medals last time and hopefully that will stand me in good stead now.”

It has been a tough road for the race walker to get to this point, however. She added: “I was diagnosed with kidney disease when I was a child, although we (family) didn't realise how serious it was.

“I was told I'd need to start dialysis in 2003, and that was when I took up running to try and maintain my health.

“This meant that instead of starting to dialyse in 2003, I managed to it hold off until the end of 2006.

“I went on the transplant list in September 2006 and got the call to come in to Southmead hospital on August 13 2008.”

Once the transplant was over, Medcroft continued her athletics. She added: “I took part in the British Games in Coventry the following year and have competed in every one since. This year they are in Glasgow.

“I was selected to compete for GB in the World Transplant Games in 20015, held in Argentina. I won the 3k race walk and took silver in the 1500m and 5k road race.

“I also competed in the 400m and in the badminton doubles. I will be taking part in the same events in Malaga.”

Medcroft’s 3km gold in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, two years ago came in a time of twenty minutes 30.80mins which was just under 17 seconds quicker than second-placed Constance Nelisiwe Sithebe of South Africa.

Her silver in the 1500m was in six minutes 50.53secs.

So the Yate ace, who trains with Westbury Harriers, is determined to add to her medal tally this time around.

“I am really hoping to do well,” she added.